I just picked up a 1997 Baja 272 Islander with a 496 crate motor installed with a carb instead of the 454 TPI that was pulled out due to a cracked block. I asked why he went with the carb and he is simply an old school hot rodder that hates messing with fuel injection.

I would much prefer the fuel injection and I did receive all of the parts along with the old motor in the sale, so are there any reasons/complications to prevent me from putting the FI back on?

Thanks in advance!

1997 Baja 272 Islander
Bravo1 drive with 23p Mirage plus prop.

What intake and carb was used on the 496? Does the old FI setup look like this?

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...+INTAKE+PLENUM

when you say crate motor,who bilt it.if it is a 8,1 L engine,the intake is completly different from a 454&502 engine.

Yes, that is the setup. It has an Edelbrock intake with an Edelbrock 700CFM carb. I'll have to check which version of manifold it is. It's not the Performer nor is it a tunnel ram, but somewhere in between. He did say that the carb was too small and an 800cfm would do the trick. The boat is in storage and the motor is in my garage, but it does look like everything should bolt up.

The 8.1 is completely different? I've built a few small block chevys, but the big blocks and marine engines are new animals to me.

It came off of ebay. Here's a link to what the motor most likely is. I'm still waiting for the paperwork from the previous owner.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-8-1L-425h...47eb24&vxp=mtr

the engine in the ebay ad is a 8.1 L 496,the 454&502 intake is not interchangable.you should not have a problem finding a fi unit from a 8,1L engine,i sugest calling raylor,they specialize in the 8,1L engine.

Got it, thanks. I'll just throw a bigger carb on there until I build up another motor then.

The previous owner bought the boat at an auction and found water in the oil and a freeze plug pushed out. Just for fun does anyone care to hazard a guess as to whether the crack is indeed cracked, or that it simply pushed water past a seal? It's a MarkVI 4bolt main block.

the block and or heads are probibally cracked,any good machine shop can magnaflux them for you.

on a side note,a 850 carb on the 8,1 should make your boat run good,if i were you id put the bigger carb on it and enjoy the boat.

I don't believe Edelbrock ever made an intake for an 8.1L 496. Only Dart made one to use a carb.
It must be a 454 stroked if it is a 496.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

i was just on edelbrock,s site and could not find a manifold for thi 8,1 engine.maybe the op can post a pic of his engine